Wish the Gruffalo happy birthday at Eden this bank holiday weekend

The Gruffalo will be taking time out of his busy schedule to celebrate his fifteenth birthday at the Eden Project on May bank holiday weekend (May 3-5).

The literary icon, star of the book by former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler and the Oscar-nominated film adaptation, will be asking visitors to Eden to help with preparations before taking part in some traditional party games and settling down for a reading of the bestselling children’s picture book.

In the morning of each day, children can make party hats and masks based on the characters from the book, including Mouse, Fox, Owl and Snake as well as the Gruffalo himself. They can also make a special birthday card for the Gruffalo and help decorate a cake and make bunting for the party.

Once all the preparations have been completed, there will be birthday cake and a range of traditional party games, including pin the wart on the Gruffalo, Gruffalo says, a nut hunt and a Gruffalo coconut shy.

Finally, in the late afternoon children can settle down and hear Eden’s renowned story-tellers bring the Gruffalo book to life with a lively reading.

The Gruffalo himself will make appearances at each stage of the day, to make sure the party plans are going well, play some games, and take part in the story readings.

Emma Hogg, Eden’s programme producer, said: “We’re very excited that the Gruffalo has chosen to have his birthday party at Eden. He is the star of one the best and most popular children’s books in recent memory and his birthday weekend is going to be a great occasion for everyone who has enjoyed his adventures over the years.”

All activities for the Gruffalo’s birthday party at Eden are included in the standard admission price. For more details, see www.edenproject.com.